Scaffold construction



Alg- 23, 1949- A. M. PAULsoN SCAFFOLD CQNSTRUCTION 3 sheetssheet 2 Filed Oct. 17, 1946 f5.5 4a f5? FIGJZ Aug 23, 1.949- A. MQ PAULSON 2,479,962

SCAFFOLD CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 17, 1946 3 Shets-Sheet 3 67 FIG. 16

#awww ATTOR NEY Patented Aug. 23, 1949 UNITED :PATENT OFFICE .2,479,962 SCAFFOLD CONSTRUCTION fAlffM. Paulson, Milwaukee, Wis. Application October 17, 1946,- Serial No. 703,785

'The present invention `relates-to sc'aiold construction and has 'for lan object tofprovidean Aimprovedscaffold which is of strong-:and durable construction, which v-can be easilyassembled and dismantled, andwhich canbe inexpensively man- Aufactured.

Another object is to provide sca'iol'd' fittings which l'are `readily*attached`tofposts or uprights in vertically adjustablerelation.

A further I object is "to provide Y a `"scaffold construction which `by simplefmodication can utilizepostsor uprights ofetherwood or metal.

A still -further object 4Vis lto provide ascaiold `which can be iirmly-assen'ib'led in two or `more i superposed sections.

The inventionfurther consists inthe fseveral "features hereinafterdescribedv and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating certain embodiments yof the invention,

Figure l-v-is vvaside-elevational view-"of ascafold constructed in accordance withtheinvention, parts being broken away and .parts-:beingshown in section;

Fig. 2'is `a fragmentary'top View of a corner `portion-fof i the' scaffold;

FigfS is'asectional#elevation-ofte corner portion of the scaffold, parts 'bein-g' brokeniaway;

Fig. 4 is 4-a -detail perspective Aview Vof one of the corner post ttings, bracket arms 'thereof' being shown in Vfolded-position*and parts' being I broken away;

Figf is adetail top view of one=of the corn'er post fittings, partsV being shownfin section;

Fig. 6 is -a ldetail sectional i View taken on `the 'line G-Sof'Fig 3;

Fig. 7 is la fragmentarysectional'elevational view of a'rnodifiediform of'scaiold structure;

Fig. 9 is a side "elevational -view of 'another modified 'form' ofi-scaffold;

Fig. 10 is an end elevational view ofI thee-scaffold -of Fig. 9;

Fig. l1 isfa fragm-entarytopfviewof a corner portion of the scaffoldfof Fig. '9;

Fig. 12 is anelevationalfviewofliafcornerportion of thescaffoldofFigQyparts being broken -away and-parts being shown insection;

13 is la detailse'ctionalfview taken-on the parts being shownE in section;

',The loop portions 29 and 3l) fFigd is -a side elevational view of still aanother modified form of scaffold;

'Fig. 1'7 is an end elevational view of the scaffoldvof Fig. 16;

`Fig. 18 is a fragmentarytop view of the scaf- 'fold of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is an elevational view of-a corner portionof the scaifold of Fig. 16, parts being broken .zaway and parts being shown'in section;

Fig; 20 is a top View of a corner structure `with elements separated, parts being shown in section;

Fig. 21 is a side Velevation ofV a platform-supporting truss;

Fig. Z2 is a detail View of one end oi the truss, Aparts of the scalold `structure being `shown in usection;

Fig. 23 isa top View of a modified form of corner` construction, and

FigzZeis alfraginentary top'view of a further fmo'died formof scaffold.

.Reierringto Figs. lto 8 of the drawings, 25

designates cornerposts or uprights usually formed by wooden 2 X 4 studs. Fourfpostsare normally provided, opposite corner posts vbeing shown in y-Fig. l. For some types of work the lower ends of-the posts areseated in socket members 26 provided with caster wheels 2T.

Ledger supportsvi are carried'by the respectiverposts in vertically adjustable relation and -each comprises a sleeve member having vertically spaced upper loop portions 29 and 3% and a lower end loop portion 3l, all of Yrectangular shape, connected by a vertical bar 32 which is here shown to be of channel shape to receive the post. The sleeve member isformed of heavy sheet metal bent to shape and welded together. are slightly wider 4than the `2 X l post and have a depth of about twice. the thickness of the post, theparts of these loops spaced outwardly from the post being connected by a vertical plate 33. Arched metal spacers aresecured in the loop portionsZS and ,30, as by welding, to present guide surfaces for the post. Horizontal clamping screws 35 are l.threaded through the loop walls` and the spacers and each has a reduced inner end 36 whichis pivotally connected to a clamping button 31 provided with -a roughened or radially ribbed iiace 38, Fig..6,.to engagea side face ofthe post. ,Insome instances, the reduced screw ends may each havea concave face39 to engage the post, .and the opposite faces of the loop portions 29 ,an`d`3 may have shallow ribs 46 Vto engage the .post. '.The lower end loop` portion 3| of the ledger 1 `support-has a horizontal clamping screw 4I Vwith a pivotally connected button 42 to bear against the post. In some instances, the upper end of the ledger support is provided with a hoisting ear 43.

A ledger 44, such as a 2 x 6 plank, has one end entered between the loop portions 29 and 30 and iits between the post and the vertical plate 33, the lower edge of the ledger resting on nturned flanges 45 formed on the loop portion 30. The ledger is clamped to the zpost by a horizontal clamping screw 46 threaded in a reinforced part of the plate 33 and having a pivotally connected clamping button 41 bearing on the adjacent vertical face of the ledger. The other end of the ledger is similarly mounted in a ledger support on another post.

A bent metal strap 46 has top and bottom end ears 49 secured to one of the side flanges of the ledger support, as by welding, and has a vertical wall 50 spaced from the support flange, the forming with the `flange and aperture for receiving the end portion of a ledger such as a 2 x 6 plank, which rests on edge on the lower part of the strap, and extends at right angles to, and

immediately below the ledger 44. The strap wall 58 has a clamping screw 52, similar to the screw 46, with an end button 53 bearing on the ledger 5|' for clamping this ledger against the ledger support flange. The other end of the ledger 5| is similarly clamped to the ledger support of another corner post.

The lower end of each ledger support 28 has ears 54 on two adjacent sides to which a pair of bracket arms 55 and 56 are pivotally secured.

The arm 55 has a U-shaped upper end 51 em' bracing the lower edge portion of one of the ledgers 44 and provided with a button-ended clamping screw 58 engaging the side of this ledger and the arm 56 has a similar U-shaped upper end 59 and clamping screw 60 for similarly engaging one of the ledgers 5|. The armsl 55 and 56 restrain both downward and lateral displacement of the ledgers.

The four post-supported ledgers or beams 44 and 5| form a rectangular frame, and the parallel ledgers 44 at the opposite ends of the frame support thereon a number of parallel platform planks 6|. The planks are supported at their intermediate portions by a ledger 62, such as a 2 X 6 plank, the ends of which rest on the ledgers 5| and are releasably secured thereto, as -by partially driven nails 63. The scaffold thus formed may be rrnoved about as required. For short scaffolds the intermediate ledger 62 may be omitted.

In assembling the scaffold, the ledger supports 26 are slipped over the respective posts 25 and are secured thereto in adjusted relation. This may be done while the posts are in horizontal position. IThe ledgers 44 are secured to the respective `pairs of spaced posts to form end frames, the roller sockets 26 being applied to those posts. The ledgers 5| are then secured to the spaced end frames, and the arms 55 and 56 are clamped to the ledgers. After attaching the intermediate cross ledger 62, the platform planking is set in place. The scaffold is firmly braced and the clamping devices hold the ledger supports securely on the posts. Dismantling of the scaffold is also easily and quickly effected. The ledger supports 28 may or may not be removed from the corner posts, and in either case the arms 55 and 56 can be folded .close to the supports, as seen in Fig. 4. In cases where the wooden parts of the scaffold are available on a construction project, it is only strap 4 necessary to furnish and carry the metal corner fittings.

The modified form of scaffold shown in Figs. '1 and 8 is similar to the scaffold of Fig. l except that the ledgers 5| are omitted, and an arm 56 pivotally mounted on each ledger support 28 has a laterally hooked upper end 59 which embraces the outer edge portion of an outer plateform plank 6| and is secured thereto by a screw 60.

The modified form of scaffold shown in Figs. 9 to 15 is generally similar to that o-f Fig. l except that it includes ledger supports |28 constructed to |cooperate with tubular metal corner posts |25 which are here shown to be formed in aligned detachable sections. The upper post sections carry the ledger supports |28, as hereinafterdescribed, and the lower post sections are provided with suitable bearing feet |26. The complementary sections of each post are joined by a coupling comprising a dowel |64 having an intermediate annular flange |65. The dowel flanges of two adjacent corner posts are welded or otherwise rigidly connected to the opposite ends of a horizontal truss |66 formed of metal tubing, and the other two corner posts are similarly connected. Each truss |66 includes inclined downwardly diverging members |61, the lower ends of which are welded or otherwise rigidly secured to respective collars |68 surrounding the posts and clamped thereto by screws |69. If desired, the screws may enter holes |10 formed in the post. Each dowel flange |65 has one or more upstanding screw studs |1|, three being shown in the present instance. The other two sides of the scaffold frame have respective trusses |12, the ends of the upper tubular members of which are secured to a pair of the screw .studs |1| by wing nuts |13. Each truss |12 has inclined downwardly diverging members |14, the lower ends of which are secured by nuts |15 to radial studs |16 on the collars |68.

Each ledger support |28 includes a metal sleeve or pipe |32 which is slidable on the corresponding post and carries a pair of screws |35 which selectively enter radial holes |10 in the post. Metal straps |33 and |48, generally similar to the straps 48 of Fig. 4, are welded to the sleeve to receive the upper and lower ledgers 44 and 5|` and have respective clamping screws |46 and |52 for these ledgers, the straps being secured 90 apart and at different elevations, so that the ledger 44 will pass over the ledger 5|. Preferably, the sleeve is cut away at each strap so that the ledgers will bear directly against the post |25. The sleeve may also be cut away below the ledger-supporting strap |48. Ears |54 are welded to the reinforced lower end of the sleeve |32 for pivotal attachment of ledger-bracing arms 55 and 56, as in the device of Fig. 1. For a low scaffold, the upper post sections and the connecting parts therefor may be omitted, and for a higher scaffold each post may have two or more sections.

The modied scaffold of Figs. 16 to 22 includes tubular metal corner posts |25. The posts are connected by metal trusses 200 and 20| to form a rectangular scaffold frame work. Each truss 200 and its connected posts form a side frame, and the opposed side frames are connected by the trusses 26| to form the other two sides of the frame work. Each truss 260 comprises a pair of parallel upper and lower pipes 202 and 253 which are joined at intervals by vertical tubular struts 204 and are welded at their ends to vertical metal sleeves 205 slidable on the posts. Each sleeve has one or more radial screws 206 which selectively enter openings |70 in the posts to hold the truss at an adjustable elevation. Each truss 20| comprises a pair of parallel upper and lower pipes 207 and 208 which are joined at intervals by vertical struts 209 and are welded at their ends to vertically extending abutment members or saddle plates 2|0 of concave or trough-shaped cross section which are adapted to seat against the vertical sleeves 295. Each plate 2|9 has vertical slots 2li at its upper and lower end portions which receive therein respective upwardly projecting hooks 2| 2 laterally Welded to the sleeves. The plates 2 I0 after entry of the hooks are forced downwardly into tight wedging engagement therewith, thus rmly seating the plates on the cylindrical outer surfaces of the associated sleeves 205. Platform planks 6| rest on the horizontal top bars 202 of the end trusses 200. In some instances, an intermediate beam or truss 2 I3 is provided to support the platform planks and comprises a horizontal top pipe 2|4, a bottom chord 2|'5, and a central strut 2|6, the ends of the truss having hook plates 2li which embrace and seat on the top bars of the trusses 20 I. The truss 2 |3 extends parallel to the end trusses 290.

The scaffold of Figs. 16 to 22 is of simple and durable construction and is easily assembled and dismantled. In some cases, trusses of various length may be provided for scaffolds oi different size.

In higher scailolds the posts may be made in two or more sections which are suitably joined or coupled as by the means provided in the scaffold of Figs. 9 to l5. Another coupling means is shown in Fig. 23, wherein aligned endwise-abutting post sections |25 are entered into the sleeve 205 of a truss 200 and are secured in place by the Screws 206. The splicing trusses 290 may also be connected by a pair of the trusses 20|.

The modification of Fig. 24 includes beams or trusses 300 and 39| generally similar to the trusses 200 and 20|. However, the truss 309 has an end sleeve formed by two complementary hinged sections 305 and 305 secured about the associated post |25, as by one or more swing bolts 3I8 and nuts 320. The sleeve section 305 also has one or more screws 206 engaging the post. The sleeve section 305 has hooks 3|2 engaging a slotted saddle end plate 3|@ of the truss 30|, as in the truss of Fig. 19. The truss 309 can be readily attached to and detached from the posts without requiring access to the ends of the posts.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a scaffold construction, two pairs of spaced posts each having endwise aligned tubular sections, a pair of spacing members for said pairs of spaced posts each having vertical dowels at opposite ends extending into the post sections, said end dowels having respective horizontal intermediate llanges between the adjacent post sections, and said spacing members further having arms with respective collars surrounding said posts in axially spaced relation to said anges, and a second pair of spacing members at rightangles to said Iirst-named spacing members and detachably connecting the flanges and collars.

2. In a scaffold construction, a pair of spaced platform-supporting trusses each having vertical post-receiving end sleeves with lateral upwardly projecting hooks thereon, and a pair of connecting trusses for said first-named trusses each having vertical end plates adapted to seat laterally against said sleeves and having apertured portions engageable by said hooks for rigidly securing said plates to said sleeves.

3. In a scaifold construction, a post-spacing member having vertical post-receiving sleeves at opposite ends, each sleeve having a separable section permitting lateral application of the sleeve to a post, and post-securing means on said sleeves.

4. In a scaiold construction, a pair of laterally spaced upright tubular members, a frame extending between said tubular members and having vertical end plate members with concave faces adapted to seat against said tubular members, and securing means for rigidly but detachably connecting each tubular member and the adjacent end plate member comprising vertically spaced hooks on one of said members and vertical hook-receiving slots in the other member.

5. In a scaffold construction, a pair of laterally spaced upright members, a frame extending `between said members and having vertical end plate members laterally engageable with said upright members, and securing means for rigidly but detachably connecting each upright member and the adacent end plate member comprising vertically spaced hooks on one of said members and vertical hook-receiving slots in the other member.

ALF M. PAULSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS are of record in the 

